bing181

We lost clearances 44 35, and stoppages 31 20. Hard to win when that's going on. I accept that Lever and Hibberd are big omissions, but Viney out is really hurting us.

Last 2 minutes makes edifying vision - though easy to say in hindsight. Frost's great (almost) intercept, which he then bombs into no-man's-land for a turnover. O Mac's great intercept mark, which he managed to get perfectly to Petracca. Who then bombed forward when the name of the game is possession/run the clock down? JKH's easy miss that would have spared us the previous 10 pages of discussion. Then everyone's hero, Frost, ball-watching and leaving Hawkins unattended in the middle of the ground ... and the rest, as they say, is history.

Also down to experience.

To go down to Geelong and lose by less than a goal - can't fault the effort. Suspect that JKH has played his last game in a Melbourne jumper, and we really, really missed Viney, felt like we were one mid down all game.

Can't fault the intent or application. Just feel we don't have enough class on the field, really missing Lever, Hibberd, Viney and on the basis of what he'd done of late, even Stretch. Let's see.

Don't feel confident about this one - or even the next few for that matter: Lever, Viney, Hibberd out, a step too far.

Fair enough then ...

Actually, on the basis of what's been reported, we have zero evidence that running out a foot injury is risky - because we're ignoring all the occasions when running it out works. We're only hearing about when it (perhaps) doesn't. As Tom Mac said re his own foot/toe issues, as a footballer, you're constantly having problems with feet and toes: you get stood on, you get knocks, you're doing a lot of running, and it's not called *foot* ball for nothing. Once again, we're only hearing about when these develop into something more serious, while ignoring the majority of times when they don't. Every player on our list would be nursing/carrying some kind of niggle, including foot/toes.

Based (only) on the stats, perhaps his confidence has taken a bit of a hit ... Learning curve.

Weideman for Hannan. Apart from anything else, lets us leave Tom McD up forward the whole match as Weideman would cover for Gawn. Tyson for Viney seems obvious, perhaps they wanted more pace against the Dogs, but do we need more grunt against Geelong?

Pinch hitting in the ruck for starters. Would enable us to leave Tom Mac forward the whole game, and ensure that even when either Tom or Hogan are resting, we still have 2 talls up forward.

You do when you take him out ... which is one of the reasons so many were wanting him back in when Petty/J Smith went out. Though what Vince adds isn't really the question. It's what the bloke he played on adds, and from what I can see, it's generally not much. Bernie still knows how to shut someone down.

Some of the best footy we've played for quite a while, hope we can take it forward, will need all we can next week down at Geelong. Bummer that we lost the Saints game. Would be sitting second now.

It's really simple. We have too many players who aren't good enough. (Also a few who aren't quick enough.)

You mean like Lewis was pilloried for doing last week?

Seriously? Frost has cost us 2 goals.

Sam Frost. Runs back to the goal and leaves Schache free: goal. Kicks to Gawn but in a 1 on 3. Johannisen clears, goal. If we lose this (possible), it'll be because of events like the above - and not only Frost. Just too many turnovers and sloppy disposals.

Regardless of whether JKH is decent or not, we have one more player that's not used to playing with the rest of the team. Him flying against Salem in the back line was a classic example. It's not just Viney out that's the problem, but that these outs upset balance and stability. Could see us losing this, but there are just too many players out there who are fringe players. This is NOT a well-oiled machine.

If ever that happens, try coming in through Channel (in the middle up the top), rather than Matches.

Not working out too well for Hawthorn at the moment.

Happy to have Vince back, not sure who he's replacing down back that's currently available. Wagner? Also pleased to see them giving JKH a go. As above, Last Chance Hotel, but at least no-one will die not knowing.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-11/bad-luck-for-billy-demon-could-miss-season

Only 4 Players listed as injured. Joel Smith is a Test, plus Lever, Maynard and Hunt. Shortest injury list in the AFL. Credit where it's due. Edit: Might have gone too early (!), seems Stretch could be added to that. Would make us equal lowest, with Brisbane. FWIW ...

Nah, makes too much sense.

Yeah, why give an experienced player the benefit of the doubt when you can indulge in some speculative negativity.